Two Hopatcong men who forged, cashed stolen checks sentenced to three years probation

SUPERIOR COURT -- Two Hopatcong men who admitted their involvement to cashing stolen checks, with one in possession of heroin when he was arrested during a traffic stop, have been sentenced to three years probation.

Eric Gessner, 25, and Joseph Gibney, 33, appeared in front of state Superior Court Judge William J. McGovern on Friday, Aug. 25, beside their respective attorneys, public defender Stephen Insley and Robert Klingenburg.

On June 19, Gessner pleaded guilty to third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and a disorderly persons offense for receiving stolen property.

On June 20, Gibney pleaded guilty to conspiracy and two counts of forgery, all third-degree crimes.

Facing a maximum sentence of 51/2 years in prison, Gessner was sentenced to 31 days in jail, but was given jail credit for 31 days of time served in the county jail from when he was arrested. As part of the sentencing, the disorderly persons offense was dismissed.

He was sentenced to non-custodial probation where he is required to attend three NA/AA meetings per week, submit to random drug monitoring, undergo a treatment services assessment for the courts, or TASC, evaluation -- a state program used to gauge a defendant's substance abuse severity to determine treatment -- and obtain and/or maintain full-time employment. He will also be required to serve 100 hours of community service and pay court fees and fines of approximately $1,200.

Facing a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, Gibney was sentenced to two days in the county jail, but was given jail credit for two days of time served when he was arrested.

He was also sentenced to non-custodial probation where he will be required to attend two NA/AA meetings per week, comply with a TASC evaluation, serve 150 hours of community service, and will be required to pay court fees and fines of approximately $550. If he is compliant with probation, he can apply for early release after two years.

Gibney was sentenced to three years probation for each of the three charges, but will serve them concurrently.

According to court records, Gessner was stopped by Hopatcong police on Feb. 22 and arrested on a warrant. During that time, Gessner allegedly had in his possession three bags of heroin.

On Oct. 25, 2016, Gessner allegedly was given a check by codefendant Joseph Gibney, 33, of Hopatcong, and was told to cash it for him and then give the money to Gibney.

Gessner said in court that he admitted to taking the check, cashing it and giving the money to Gibney. His sister, Alyssa Gessner, was also present at the time, he said.

According to the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office, Gibney pleaded guilty to admitting to forging checks and cashing two stolen checks in Hopatcong.

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